Cost of Zinc May Increase Cost of Penny Production

from The Arizona Republic

The penny is being pinched by the rising cost of production. It could now cost 1.4 cents for the U.S. Mint to make each penny.

The coin is 97.5 percent zinc; copper plating makes up the remaining 2.5 percent. Last year, the Mint produced each penny for 0.97 cent.

That was before the price of zinc more than doubled. The Mint says it is not possible to nail down the cost of each coin right now but acknowledged the lowly penny has grown more expensive.

There is no talk at the Mint of stopping production.